Just orderded an McCruise for InZane

[bzane]

Have agonized about whether to spend the $$$ or do the cheaper DIY for years.

The MCC is $800usd, versus about $300 diy.

My guess, takes 4 hours, saves about 16 hours, so about $30/hr. Seems a no brainer.

Got one in 2003 for my then-new st1300. Insanely good. Crucial for many Iron Butts.

Sorta hard to justify adding $800 to an old 2000 bike, or maybe not.

At the very least, the InZane a great excuse to do it.

Will report whe installed.

[DarkSideR]

I had debated for years getting a cruise control. I finally settled on a BreakAway Throttle Lock. Not as good a cruise control, but it served me very well on the 700 miles I rode across Texas (man is that a big state). Going up and down hills I saw a +/-4mph speed variation while the lock was set.

Please report on your install and be sure to take it on a hilly road and note the speed variations (if any) while the cruise is set.

Good luck.

[gordonv]

Aren't they all DIY?

Have you checked out the CCS 100 CC? The original was discontinued, and this is the clone, $180.

http://www.murphskits.com/product_info.php?products_id=422

I bought the original last year when a member sold it for $140.

[bzane]

Will report on install.

Still ride the st1300 with the cruise. Stays spot on, maybe +- 1mph. Yes, was really nice thru Texas on a Florida-California IB 50CC ride.

For the extra $$$, the mccruise has exact instructions and NO fabrication. Given that my time is worth something (maybe not to boss), seems a good trade.

Still hard to fully justify $800 on a 17 year old bike. But if I get 10 years out of it, then just $80/yr. Plus, will be a mello cruise to InZane!

[bzane]

... had bookmarked murphkits. Ultimately, wimped out... I think the processor and actuator are the same. Control pod different. Wiring and brackets on Murphkit are diy, on mcc were just plug-in for the st1300.

[bikerboy1951]

I have had McCruise controls on three bikes, an ST1300 and two Valks.  The price has varied with exchange rate but I have never regretted spending the money.  Speed varies +/- 1 mph on hills.  Relieves a lot of stress while riding.  The plug and play is so nice and not having to jury-rig something to make a connection or attachment makes the install easy.  The first install at first seemed overwhelming until you get started and took about 3-4 hours to do.  It was on the ST1300 and I had done something wrong.  I emailed them and later that day I got a phone call from Australia and they walked me through the issue (wish all companies had customer service like that).  The two on the Valks each took less that 2 1/2 hours and the main issue there was getting the snorkles back on the carbs.
Enjoy the ride to Billings with the new cruise.  I will be using mine as well.

Brad

[bzane]

Installation report:

Day 0 - Read the installation guide. Is 30 pages, lots of pictures.

Day 1 - Remove tank, battery, side covers, airbox, farkles, etc. Install "actuator", lube cables, route control cable.

The day1 was 2.5 hours. Most people can probably do it quicker. Bikerboy1951 is far quicker and/or smarter than me.

I have incredible respect for the folks that can do the full DIY route!!! I figure Day2 will be another 2-4 hours to complete. Since I did an ST1300 in 2003, I knew roughly what to expect. The Valk is a little trickier, but not a big deal so far. I suspect that if I went full DIY, would be 30+ hours.

Didn't like the look of the air filter, so ordered another one. Will be here Monday, so probably won't button up the bike till Monday night.

Didn't like the look of the battery terminals (corroded), so I figure the battery is probably pretty old, so plan to put in a Lithium 18 battery I happened to have in my garage. Seems like should be an upgrade from the Lead 14. So much lighter, The Valk should handle like a sport bike. :-)

No, I don't stock lithium batteries, it didn't fit the battery box of the failed battery in the ST1300 last year, so just kept it.

Had McCruise include the chrome control pod. Was like $10 extra, but my Valk is a chrome queen.

So far, the only tools have been socket wrenches, good pliers, screwdrivers. McCruise includes the cable oil (sewing machine oil), but oddly doesn't include the Locktite.

For anybody that hasn't had a true cruise control, it is the ultimate in mello LD riding!!! In the olden days, I'd set it to the speed-limit +14 (based on GPS) and waved at cops. Hard to describe the joy of CC riding with no hand cramps/spasms.

If anybody has good/bad reports on using a lithium battery, please advise. My understanding is they give better cranking power, but don't hold as deep a charge, but can be fully discharged without damage so seems a win.

Also, if anybody can advise on a "highway peg" solution that allows me to stretch my legs periodically, would be appreciated. Just want a 8-minutes per hour solution.

[nogrey]

Seems to me that the McCruise is the deluxe model and a great way to go. Also seems to me that once the money is spent and you're enjoying it out on the road, one forgets all about the money and focuses on how well it all works.
I don't have the extra bucks to spend, but have the extra time. I'm on my second ccs100, just installed the second one last week. The first one was on my 2001 I/S (paid $67 for it) and it worked flawlessly for 5 years. Probably still is. Sold her last year to buy a new Triumph Rocket Roadster.
Just installed the second one on my '97 (also for Inzane) and it is working flawlessly. Has a +/- 1mph accuracy and works as well as the one in my car. One of my friends wants one on his bike so may be doing it again. I have to say, they are time consuming to install, but cost effective and very functional.
Happy cruising guys! See you at Inzane!

[clanky]

I installed an MC cruise control on my 98 Valk last year.  Should have done it a decade ago.  Yes a bit expensive but like one of the respondents, once you're going down the road and it works smoothly and takes the speed control out of your mind set, the money is well worth it.  I love it !!!  And it works well, just like an automotive system.  Their customer service is very good !!!!

[Gabriel]

What type of lithium battery do you have?
My experience with the Ions and polymers is that they hold a charge forever and are strong right up until they go flat.
For around the house I only buy Ion, plus I have two chargers that condition the batteries before charging, there is something about percentage of charge before charging.
The charger will top up a battery, however if it is somewhere less it will discharge it first...
One thing I do know is that you can not use a regular charger, you probably know that...
So what-ya got?

[bzane]

Sadly, the lithium 18 won't fit the battery box. Odd, usually they are small and need shimmed. This is a,"Battery Tender" 18.

Will just put the old battery back in but will replace with a lead 14. Cheaper and last well.

Have put lithiums in sportbikes, claimed to have better cranking power, but a Valk turns over easy, so no clear need.

Battery Tender has a lithium-only maintainer. Can also use a regular BT, but doesn't quite top off a lithium. Cannot use the lithium maintainer on lead, will overcharge, so if you have multiple bikes, stay regular. I have both and need to keep track.

Haven't posted CC update, will soon.

[bzane]

Finally posting...

Cruiser to Tourer!

The McCruise works great, can't imagine doing the interstate from San Diego to Billings without it! According to the GPS, varies no more than 1mph.

Probably took about 6 hours to do. The instructions are excellent. The only hangup was my Valk had differently routed vacuum hoses than factory, so that created some confusion, plus the smog plumbing gets in the way of things, so it sat for a few weeks while I debated whether to de-smog. Ordered the de-smog kit, but decided not to do 2 projects at the same time, so will be done next month, or so.

Would definitely recommend.

A key thing about the Mccruise is that it comes with all the brackets, hoses, etc. It uses a "cable interface unit", a mechanical thingy that the throttle cable and cruise cable go in, and a supplied carburetor control cable goes out. I think a Rostra-type setup means you create your own carburetor control (but I'm not sure).

Once installed... didn't work. The diagnostics (a blinking LED) said my brake circuit was the problem... sure enough that brake light was out. Replaced brake light and worked fine!

BTW, at 111 degress in Nevada desert, a Valk runs pretty hot and gets terrible mileage. Not to mention, by the time I got to Vegas, was stopping every 30 miles to hydrate. Never do desert in daytime this time of year!

Great InZane!